I-84 to be closed near Danbury

Published 10:41 pm, Saturday, August 10, 2013

DANBURY -- Traffic on the city's west side will likely be a nightmare for a couple of weekends next month when Interstate 84 is closed for bridge replacement work in New York state.

According to New York transportation officials, the closures will last at least 18 hours and are necessary to "slide" new bridges into place over Dingle Ridge Road, about a mile from the state border.

The construction method is a first for the New York transportation department, according to project engineer Oscar Olarte, but it will save taxpayers at least $2 million and cut more than year from the construction project.

More Information

Interstate 84 closures Sept. 21: Eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 will be closed from Exit 20 in New York to Exit 1 in Connecticut beginning at 5 p.m.Sept. 28: Westbound lanes of Interstate 84 will be closed from Exit 20 in New York to Exit 1 in Connecticut starting at 5 p.m.

He said using traditional bridge replacement methods, the old bridge is demolished after a temporary bridge is built for motorists. The permanent bridge is then constructed.

With the new technique, the new bridge is built next to the old bridge, which is demolished when the new bridge is ready to be moved into place.

For that to happen, however, the highway has to be closed.

Officials said the eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 will be closed in the vicinity of the bridges for at least 18 hours starting at 5 p.m. Sept. 21. The westbound lanes will be closed starting at 5 p.m. Sept. 28.

More closures are possible, although they are not planned at this time.

Detours will be set up from Exit 20 in New York to Exit 1 in Connecticut.

Mayor Mark Boughton said delays and traffic tie-ups through the city and as far as Southbury could result from the work.

"These are going to be very difficult travel weekends throughout our area, and we will need people to be patient," he said. "This is a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.

"The road may be closed for a couple of weekends, but it will remain open throughout the rest of the construction process."